Rich Man U fan may scupper Glazer
Manchester United fans’ attempts to stave off a threatened takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazer have received a substantial boost.
Shareholders United, the group which is hoping to recruit 100,000 members and acquire more than 10% of the club’s shares under its umbrella to make a buy-out less appealing, has received a £750,000 (€1.1m) commitment from one wealthy fan eager to keep the Old Trafford outfit out of Glazer’s clutches.
The unnamed supporter is previously known to SU and has agreed to lodge the shares he intends to purchase with the organisation. And while it still leaves them some way short of their aim, SU officials are hopeful the news will encourage other United fans to follow suit.
“This is the most significant one-off share purchase we have had,” claimed SU spokesman Oliver Houston.
“We would urge the Manchester business community and any other United fans around the world to do what they can to safeguard the future of the club they love.”
With no formal confirmation that it was Glazer who lodged the ‘preliminary approach’ to buy the club – which was announced by United to the Stock Exchange on Monday morning – let alone any inclination as to whether he intends to pursue the takeover option, the situation has become even more mysterious with allegations of blocking moves by third parties.
At least one person named as being involved in a counter bid has flatly denied being involved, while SU remain sceptical about the motives of former Football League chairman Keith Harris, who advised BSkyB about their ultimately failed bid for the Red Devils in 1999.
“We are not going to be used as a fig leaf for one set of asset strippers just because we are facing up to the threat from another in Malcolm Glazer,” said Houston.
“One of them wants to put the club into debt, the other, through the ITV Digital debacle, was responsible for putting loads of other clubs into debt.
“If people want to involve supporters in a reshaping of Manchester United, the best way to go about it is to talk to them.”
In an ironic twist, SU have also tried to involve FIFA president Sepp Blatter in the dispute.
Blatter hardly found favour among the United support for his outspoken stance on Rio Ferdinand’s drugs case, but in this instance SU see the Swissman as a potential ally because of his publicly expressed fear that the game is becoming a pawn for big business.
Consequently, SU have written to Blatter and urged FIFA to ‘ensure that football clubs are properly run and encourage supporter ownership’.
